Improvement in photographic plates



' P. NEFF.

, Photographic Plates. N0 l58 301, Patented Dec.'29,1 874.

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER NEFF, OF GAMBIER, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 158,301, dated December 29, 1874; application filed September 1, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER NEEE, of Gambier, Knox county, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Melanotype and other Photographic Plates, of which the following is a specification My invention relates to an improved manufacture of melanotype, ferrotype, daguerreotype, and other varnished or enameled metal- 110 plates or sheets for photographic purposes; and consists in a production or manufacture of such plates or shee s, in which that portion of their face side which surrounds the sight or panel to receive the portrait is decorated or ornamented by indelibly-printed margins or borders, so as to wholly or partly take the place of the customary frames, mats, or other separable borders.

I first prepare suitable types for my borders, either by means of the lithographic process or by engraving upon Wood, zinc, or other suitable material, and taking a melanotypeplate, such as originally patented to H. L. Smith and myself, 19th February, 1856, or any ordinary varnished or japanned photographic plate or sheets, I print thereupon the desired border in any suitable fixed pigment or color, or one capable of being fixed by heat; said printing being performed either direct upon the face of the plate, or intermediately upon transfer paper, which is subsequently fixed upon the plate in the customary way of making transfers. Bronzes and gilt or silver leaf may be used when desired.

In some cases I coat the "border, thus imprinted, with a refractory varnish, which I apply in like manner, by printing with the same or a duplicate type.

The whole may be subsequently made per manent by heat, applied in the same manner as is employed in the manufacture of japanned ware.

I may, in some cases, print my border before the original Varnish or enamel is quite set, and may then fix the whole at one baking.

The printing may be in colors, as, for example, by the chrome-lithographic process, and may consist in a simple tint or surface color, or may represent moldings, garlands, or other pictorial or emblematical devices.

The plates may be printed with patterns to suit the different sizes, such as ninths, siXths, quarters, halves, wholes, carte-de-m'sites, and other sizes, a number on one sheet which may be put on the market entire, or may be cut into its component plates as may be preferred by the user.

The accompanying drawing represents a photographic sheet or plate, finished on my plan.

I claim- As a new article of manufacture, a metallic photograhic sheet or plate, having an ornamental device or border indelibly imprinted upon that portion of its face which surrounds the sight portion or part designed to receive the picture, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of which invention Ihereunto' set my hand.

Attest:

GEo. H. KNIGHT, 0. P. OAYLOR.

PETER NEFF. 

